Interplay tells the story of the Natural Museum of Los Angeles County’s Education and Arts Roundtable, a model program designed to reinvigorate the museum’s mission. In an effort to foster joint responsibility and authority over museum interactions and content, the museum developed interdisciplinary partnerships between Los Angeles area schools (K-12), mid-sized arts organizations, museum educators, and scientists. Funded by a 2006 grant from the James Irvine Foundation, the program encourages Los Angeles youth—through museum visits, co-sponsored performance and art projects, and other participatory events—to use the visual and performing arts as a catalyst to learn about the natural and social sciences.

In the latest GIA Podcast we speak with 2017 GIA Conference committee chair Regina Smith (The Kresge Foundation) and committee member and Detroit native Sharnita Johnson (Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation) about Detroit, and what to expect when visiting the city.